AMBITIOUS plans to redevelop a former camp for World War Two evacuees have been unveiled by a prominent East Lancashire businessman.

An estimated £27.5milllion could be spent on a luxury hotel and spa development at the old Linton Camp, near Grassington, in North Yorkshire.

The blueprints, submitted to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, have been drawn together on behalf of Matthew Riley, chief executive of the Nelson-based Daisy Group.

Mr Riley, who lives in the Wiswell area, has formed the Linton Camp Regeneration Company for the venture, which also features lodges catering for 24 people, a restaurant and underground parking.

Nearly 100 jobs would be generated, if consent is gained for the leisure complex, which would stretch over 6,850 square metres, the authority has been told.

Built originally in the late 1930s to house young evacuees from the Bradford and Leeds areas, whose fathers had gone to war and mothers were working in the factories, the site has been abandoned for more than 20 years.

Supporters of the scheme say it will supply a "luxury, eco-friendly retreat offering modern comforts in a setting blended into the natural beauty of the Dales".

Andrew McCluskey, an agent for the applicants, said: “The development has been designed to sit as quietly into the landscape as possible with grass roofs and underground parking.

"We are using the contours of the land so it will be sympathetic to the area and will be landscaping the area with indigenous species of trees."

Several of the buildings have either completely or partially collapsed and would be demolished if planning permission is won.

Archaelogist Naomi Field said: "The Linton Camp School buildings are in a poor state and are not built to modern standards.

"The significance of the site is historical rather than architectural and better-preserved examples are to be found elsewhere."

A new footpath is proposed, linking the site to the nearby B6160.